Palmer was one of the most dominant and popular athletes in the 1960s, and he was named the Associated Press' "Athlete of the Decade." He ended his PGA career with seven major titles and 62 PGA tournament wins — the fifth-most of all time.

Perhaps more memorable than Palmer's success was his charisma. The U.S. Golf Association called him "golf's greatest ambassador." The hundreds of fans that would follow him during tournaments became known as Arnie's Army.